Many negotiators complain that, even though they’re asking all the right questions, they still can’t get an agreement. So, what are the “right” questions to ask at a negotiation? They’re not the ones you might expect!

Knols

According to a recent job satisfaction survey of full-time employees, 69.1% of employees feel that they are underpaid for their qualifications. Here are some additional statistics: There are 2 out of 3 employees walking around feeling underpaid and 1 in 3 employees are seeking job growth opportunities that will presumably lead to more pay.

Saying no does not have to be awkward or damaging to relationships. Saying no can actually help you do your job better. That's right; saying no can be a good thing. Negotiators say no all the time. The negotiators who are skilled at saying no are often the most respected and popular in their field because they are more likely to craft an agreement that meets the needs of both sides.

More and more, negotiations happen in pieces and on the fly, meaning that you quickly shoot off an e-mail or leave a voicemail in response to someone else’s e-mail or voicemail. This disjointed approach to negotiating will not change for the better any time soon. Negotiation preparation improves outcomes. In fact, it is the single-most-important thing you can do to influence the negotiation in your favor.